Traumatic dislocation of the hip with separation of the proximal femoral epiphysis. Report of two cases and review of the literature.

Abstract

Traumatic hip dislocation with separation of the proximal femoral epiphysis is a rare injury. Twenty-six observations collected from the literature, together with two further cases presented in this paper, were statistically evaluated. Two types of injury were considered: T1, dislocation with complete separation and displacement of the epiphysis; and T2, dislocation with incomplete separation of the epiphysis. Two main therapeutic protocols had been carried out: restoration of anatomy, supplemented by different means of stabilization; and removal of the epiphysis with or without complementary procedures. Fifteen patients had been followed up for 2 years or more and avascular necrosis had been found in all of them. Leg-length discrepancy also had significant incidence. Eleven patients with T1 injury had been followed up to skeletal maturity: results were fair in four patients and poor in seven. Early surgical restoration of the proximal extremity of the femur, stabilized with Kirschner wires and cast, is the recommended treatment.